We are aware of the statement that President Obama made this morning extending for one additional year the non-grandfathered benefit plans that were set to cease Dec. 31, 2013. We look forward to receiving specific guidance from the federal government and direction from the Kansas Insurance Department, and will quickly review the guidance to determine the best course of action for our members and our company. We will communicate information directly to members affected by this announcement as soon as possible.

Since 1942, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas has been committed to providing Kansans in each of the 103 counties in our service area with a variety of plan options and the broadest provider network in the state. Since the Affordable Care Act become law in March 2010, we have worked diligently to comply with all elements of the law and to preserve the grandfathering status for as many of our members as possible.

These commitments will not change. We will continue to do everything we can to assure that our members, and Kansas consumers, have as many options available to them as possible when it comes to purchasing health insurance.